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George Wooton born October 16, 1915 died on Friday April 9th at the age of 94. He was born at McIntosh, Wooton, Kentucky, the son of Curt Wooton and Catherine Begley Wooton. George was a graduate of Buckhorn High School & attended Witherspoon College. He was a veteran of World War II, having served under General George Patton in the United States Army. Wooton served one term as sheriff & three terms as county judge in Leslie County. He was a true mountain politician & was well-known for his political & public speaking ability. "George is a big story teller. I've heard him times. He's a good speaker and a good friend of ours," said Ernest Sparkman during a WSGS broadcast in 1969. Audio Wooton always had an interest in the progress & development of Hyden, and eastern Kentucky. He was responsible for the initial construction of many roads & infrastructure in Leslie County. He served on numerous committees & boards: he was the first chairman of the L.K.L.P. program, served on the University of Kentucky agriculture committee, the soil conservation board, started the first food bank in Leslie County & was instrumental in organizing the Work Experience Training Program "Happy Pappy" program. George was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church of Hyden, the Leslie Co. D.A.V. Chapter # 133, Harlan V.F.W., & Hyden Masonic Lodge # 664. He always stated his occupation was a farmer. He received many state awards for the production of shell corn with irrigated water per acre on his beloved Camp Creek Farm at Wendover, Ky. George had a wealth of knowledge of the history & geneology of Leslie County & eastern Ky., & was always very willing to share this with anyone who would ask. Listen to a WSGS Tribute George Wooton is survived by his wife of 65 years: Sally Melton Wooton of Hyden, KY, one daughter: Marlene Feltner of Hyden, KY, three Grandchildren: Alyssa Bowling, Amy Melton and Greg Feltner all of Hyden, Ky, one brother: Paul Wooton of California , one sister: Eliza Rogers of Lexington, KY a special little farm friend: Trendon Keen of Tyner, KY. Funeral services for George Wooton were held on Tuesday at the Dwayne Walker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Billy Joe Lewis and Keith Bowling officiating. Military rites were observed by the Leslie Co. D.A.V. Chapter # 133, immediately following the service. Burial was in the Wooton Family Cemetery located at the Wooton Family Farm, Wendover, Kentucky.
Occasionally in life, you cross paths with a person who, no matter how far or near life may take you, you never forget. George was one of those people. He never met a stranger and if he didn't know you when you first met, he would before you got away, and more than likely, he knew and could tell you about your ancestors. He was a very loving and kind man and from the first day I met him when I was about 10 years of age, he never forgot me, even if we went years without seeing each other. It always amazed me how he remembered everyone and maybe if he didn't remember my name, he remembered who I married and asked about our children. There are no words that anyone can say to give him the honor he deserves for being such a kind man but I pray that you will find comfort in the fact that he was loved by so many. I pray that God be with you, his family, through the coming days and comfort your hearts as only He can. Estill & Brenda (Gibson) Jones, London, KY Our sincere sympathy is with your family during this great time of loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. David & Connie Napier, Hyden, KY Aunt Sally, Marlene,& Family: So saddened to hear of Uncle George's passing, He was a very loving person and one of my favorite Uncle's. I enjoyed his stories, spoon playing, dancing, singing, skills on gardening, and especially his friendly smile. He will be greatly missed by family & friends. I pray that God be with all of you during this time of sorrow, And the days that follow. I Love You All. Clara Markay Wooton, Jackson, KY So sad to hear of George's passing. We will miss him at our family reunions & get togethers. The last time I saw him he played the piano and sang Happy Birthday for my dad (Filmore Sandlin's) 88th birthday party one year ago, everyone there really enjoyed it. Our prayers are with his wife & family. Clayton Sandlin, Flint, MI George will surely be missed. I loved the stories he told and the knowledge he had. He always had a smile on his face and I loved the passion he had for farming. Many of a time he would let me go fishing in his pond, I loved to catch the blue gills. He always said catch a good mess for supper. I am going to miss this wonderful man. Charlie & Gladys Collett, Stinnett, KY My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Wooton Family. George was a great man, liked by all. He touched more people than you can imagine. I have heard George Wooton stories all of my life. Most of which, ended with a chuckle. You all are very fortunate to be able to call him family. I hope you can find comfort in knowing that he lived a long, fulfilling life. Your family will be in my prayers. Kim Pennington Huffman, London, KY My thoughts and prayers are with you. George will certainly be missed. Donna Dixon, Hyden, KY
I will always remember growing up on Wendover Creek and what fun it
was to go to George's. He would always welcome us kids in for a
drink and always a good story. He told me once that if you grow
a field of just 'taters you won't go hungry all winter. There
will certainly be an empty spot at the end of Wendover road for us
this summer. I'm 42 now, but we still looked forward to seeing
George every year, He was truly the best story teller
ever. He believed in growing things, loving the land, and
passing the history of his life and Leslie County on. George did
indeed have a blessed and long life. Today it just seems like
such a short time ago I was a kid and George was telling me about the
war, and how blessed we are to be free. George will live on in
every story he ever told someone that truly took something away from
the farm. Charlotte Brock, Stinnett, KY
George, you did more to benefit and help the people of Leslie County than anyone else I know. You lived a long and active life. You will be sadly missed but never forgotten. My condolences to Sally and your family. Thelma Pilatos Black, North Fort Myers, FL Our family is so, so saddened by the sudden death of George. The last time I saw George was at my Aunt Goldie Begley Morgan's on May 7th. Of course he was the same old George that every knew and loved, a hug, a story, laughter, and a grin from ear to ear. He was talking to our family on the back porch telling us a good old story about my uncle Jim M. Morgan and as always a handshake. As he was leaving he said, "boys lets go up to the farm and help put my garden in." As if George needed any help at all. You lost your husband, daddy, papaw, but we in and around Kentucky lost a great friend to many many people. He will be missed by everyone that had the fortune of knowing this great man. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. God Bless all, Sandy Sherrell Farmer, Stinnett, KY The last time saw George at my dad Filmore's birthday party last February, I had not seen him in a number of years. He was the same jolly guy as always. As we were talking he asked me if I had ever danced with him and as I thought I said, "Yes, when I was a little girl many years ago." He held me in his arms and danced with me. You see he lived in his old Homeplace in Mill Branch. He visited often. I will always have those memories of him. Eva Sandlin Squires, Lapeer, MI As I got to know George better over the past few years. He truly loved the land and educating folks about agriculture. He will be missed, but always remembered. Chad Conway, Hyden, KY One of the joys of attending the Buckhorn Alumni Association Reunion was hearing George and his family entertain with music. I also enjoyed visiting with him on those occasions and watching him dance on Saturday night. This year's reunion will not be the same without him. I will truly miss him and his wonderful attitude. Bill Owens, Buckhorn, KY Mr. Wooton will be missed in our community. Our thoughts and prayers will be with your family. The Napier's, Robyn, Brian, Kaidisyn, & Kenley, Hyden, KY George will be missed by many. Our prayers are with the family. Carol Eversole Williams, Viper, KY I want to express my sympathies to all of George's family and friends. He was a great and interesting man. He was my great-uncle by marriage and I love his family very much. Margaret Stamper Kamery, Beattyville, KY George was a wonderful family friend. Praying for his family at this sad time. Sandy Smallwood Hicks, London, KY From the Melton's raised on Baileys Branch, Vick and Patsy Melton and from the rest of the Melton Family Tim, Darrell and Brian Melton Sons of Vick and Patsy Melton, (grandsons of Caleb Melton) our Deepest sympathies goes out to the Wooten Family. May the Hand of God stay upon you. Darrell Melton, Lily, KY Last time I saw George we was at my dads birthday party. (Filmore's). We were very happy to see each other because I have been in Kansas City for 3 years. He brought me a picture of me and him at his Grand Daughters (Amy's) store. He had it enlarged and framed. We both autographed it together. I proudly display it in my living room. He was wearing his military uniform with his metals proudly displayed across his chest. I really am going to miss him a lot. He was part of my family and I wish that I could be there for the funeral but I will be there in spirit. He will be sorely missed and will always be in my heart...Love Mary and family. Mary Ann Sandlin Hembree, Kansas City, MO Dear Wooton family, We just want to extend our condolences on George's passing. It was a honor to have known him and also to be able to call him Brother. May God Bless you all at this difficult time. Love, Christopher B. Williams & Connor, Hyden, KY Loyal Lodge 930 F&AM He will be missed so much in Leslie County. He was always there for friends and family & loved life and enjoyed to farm. This is one man that will always be in my heart to remember Kathy Crawford, London, KY Mr. Wooton was a wonderful man. He will be
missed by all that knew him. Judge Linda Begley Sibley,
Midlothian, TX Sorry about the loss of George, he was a wonderful man He was a highlight of our lives, growing up, riding in his jeep. He will be missed by so many. Leslie County will never be the same with his passing, Prayers & thoughts are with you at this time of your loss. Ronald & Genevieve (Begley) Langdon, Liberty, IN Ms. Sally, I just wanted to let you know how it saddened my heart to hear of my friend George's passing. I've known him over the years. I didn't get to see him very often maybe once or twice a year. We had a couple things in common. We are both alumni of Alice Lloyd College and we were both big fans of Bluegrass Music. I would always see him at the Osborne Brothers Festival and he would always greet me with a big smile and a hug and at some point he would hear a song and share some of his graceful dancing moves with the crowd where he would always get an applause. I know the your heart is saddened and broken, after 63 years you have lost your closest and dearest friend. May God be with you during this journey of saying good-bye and may the Lord send his sweet spirit to comfort you. God's Blessing be with you. Cheryl Lynn Osborne. Please accept my deepest sympathy. George was a friend of my family Willie & Gladys Woods. He will never be forgotten. Deborah A. Woods, Manchester, KY We are so sorry to hear about George passing. He will be greatly missed. Our sympathy goes out to his family. Our thoughts are with you all. Alonzo & Peggy Howard So sorry to hear about the passing of this wonderful man. What a legacy and mark he left behind. He was one of the most well rounded people I ever had the privilege of meeting. He was always prepared for a good conversation and was most knowledgeable in any topic mentioned. Yes he was a very educated man, but drew the majority of his information from life experiences. He never took a moment of his 94+ years for granted. He lived each day to the fullest and made the best of what life offered him. May God Bless and comfort each of you and give you strength in the lonesome times to come. Take his love of life and the lessons learned from him with you always. He is only a memory away. Rest in Peace George, Thank you for all your hard work and dedication here on earth. We will miss you. Caldwell Family in Leslie County I am very sorry for the loss of such a special person. George never met a stranger and always had a story to tell you about a member of your family that he knew, a joke, a handshake, a pat on the back and especially a laugh and a smile. My thoughts are with his family. I know that I will miss him but that is nothing compared to the loss of his family. May God shine his love around George's family and be with them in their time of need. Angela Woods, Big Creek, KY I just wanted to express my condolences to the family of Mr. George Wooton. He was such a kind man who dedicated his whole life to the people of Leslie County. I don't think Leslie County will be the same without him. He will be truly missed and he is definitely Heavan's gain! My prayers and thoughts are with his family. God Bless Him. Vicki Morgan, Hyden, KY To the family of George, we are so sad of his passing. He was great friend as well as family member. He will truly be remembered. Don & Filmore Sandlin, Asher, KY I was named after Uncle George and will always cherish the gifts he passed on to all of us throughout his life. We respected and loved him greatly. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and regret we cannot attend services. George Blair & Family, Quitman, TX Sally, Marlene, we are saddened by the death of George. He was a wonderful person & our family loved him very much. The children of Catherine Walker. Diane Mikesell, Fairfield, OH Sally, Marlene, Alyssa, Amy and Greg: I was sad to hear of George's passing. He was a wonderful man and good friend to my family. He will be missed by many and forgotten by no one. My best wishes and sincerest condolences. Christy, Elijah, Seth and Addison Muncy, Liberty Township, OH Uncle George's passing has left a void, but our memories of him will live on forever. His life on earth was full and in Heaven, he will pull out a pair of spoons and play a tune with the angels. God bless and give comfort to the family. We love you. Sally & Chan Leucht, Independence, KY Sally, Marlene, and Family: We shall always remember George as a man devoted to his family, community, state, and country, who proudly served to protect America's freedom during WW II. In deepest sympathy, Midge Wells Bateman and Family, Cincinnati, OH |
